Dissertation Defenses

Doctoral Dissertation Announcement

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Candidate: Angela R. Lebbon

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Psychology

Title: Investigating the Effects of Observer Presence and Feedback on Individuals’ Work-Related Behavior

Committee:
Dr. John Austin, Chair
Dr. Ron Van Houten
Dr. Eric Fox
Dr. Alicia Alvero

Date: Monday, February 23, 2009 12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
3715 Wood Hall

Abstract:
Direct observation procedures have been widely used by applied behavior analysts to examine the effects of various interventions; however, recent research examining the effects of the observer’s presence on behavior (e.g., Brackett, Reid, & Green, 2007; Lebbon, 2007) has found that participants behave in ways that are not representative of their behavior when an observer is not present. Furthermore, recent research has demonstrated that both reactivity and habituation are idiosyncratic, and it remains unclear which variables mediate reactive effects with individuals. Researchers have discussed the necessity of identifying and measuring reactive effects in order to discover variables (e.g., discriminative stimulus properties) that may mediate reactive effects. Previous research has discussed the possible role of an observer as a discriminative stimulus and its effects on behavior; however, the concept has mainly been employed as a post-hoc explanation for behavior changes that were not anticipated and has yet to be systematically examined with work and safety-related behavior. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to examine the effects of observer presence (with and without feedback) on individuals’ work and safety-related behavior.